Indicator (Powerhouse) initial slate of Blu-rays
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Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video (both):

Audio:

• Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Paul Schrader
• Audio Commentary with Film Historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo
• Isolated Score Track
• Trailer (1:21)

• Liner notes by Julie Kirgo

Limited to 3,000 Copies!

 
• Hardcore Nitzsche (2017, 22:25): All new documentary on composer Jack Nitzsche
• Michael Chapman on 'Hardcore' (2004): the acclaimed cinematographer discusses his work on Hardcore (9:06)
• The Guardian Interview with Paul Schrader (1993): the director discusses his career at the National Film Theatre, London with journalist Derek Malcolm (audio only)
• Isolated score
• Original theatrical trailer (1:21)
• Image gallery (23 images)
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by critic and writer Brad Stevens 
Limited Dual Format Edition of 3,000 copies

DVD

Bitrate:

Description: Writer-director Paul Schrader’s brilliant, horrifying Hardcore (1979) follows the grim pilgrimage of a Calvinist Midwestern businessman (the great George C. Scott) searching for his vanished daughter in the scuzzy subculture of the West Coast porn industry. In his effort to trace the girl, he joins forces with a young hooker (Season Hubley) he hopes will help; their growing emotional relationship is the beating heart of this harrowing film. Shot by Michael Chapman, and with a score by Jack Nitzsche.

 

 

The Film:

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Hardcore comes to Twilight Time Blu-ray in a dual-layered, 1080P transfer with their usual high bitrate. The 1.85:1 visuals are solid exhibiting good texture and a strong film-like presence. Contrast has some decent layering and colors look true and fairly tight in the HD transfer. It looks quite consistent in-motion with no damage or speckles.  I see no evidence of manipulation or noise. This Blu-ray gives a consistently excellent presentation - probably as good as it will get for this film.

Predictably - no differences at all - another 4K restored transfer from Indicator. Image quality in the static captures is identical. The Indicator has the more technically robust transfer and this may show up in-motion to the very discerning eye. Otherwise another fabulous representation of this penetrating, harrowing, film.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 1785 kbps (24-bit) sounds clean with a few richer moments in pushing the film's modest requirements for the limited effects and depth. It sounds excellent. There are optional English subtitles (sample above) and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE.

Indicator, again, go liner PCM - original mono 24-bit - and it sounds as solid as the Twilight Time. The score by Jack Nitzsche (The Crossing Guard, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Personal Best, 9 1/2 Weeks) benefits and is augmented by pieces by Mink DeVille, Susan Raye, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Buck Owens etc. There is an optional isolated Score and English (SDH) subtitle options and the disc is region FREE - playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras :

Twilight Time add two audio commentaries - the first with  Writer-Director Paul Schrader and a second with film historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo. Both are very rewarding. There is also the usual Isolated Score Track option, and an original theatrical trailer. The package has some liner notes by Julie Kirgo and is limited to 3,000 copies.

No commentaries on the Indicator but some good extras, regardless. Hardcore Nitzsche is a new, 22-minute, documentary on composer Jack Nitzsche with input from many musicians, directors and colleagues including William Friedkin, Miloš Forman, Ry Cooder, Buffy Sainte Marie and others. Michael Chapman on 'Hardcore' is a 10-minuite piece from 2004 where the acclaimed cinematographer discusses his work on Hardcore. We get the audio-only Guardian Interview with Paul Schrader from 1993 where the director discusses his career at the National Film Theatre, London with journalist Derek Malcolm. Indicator also include an isolated score option for the film's music, an original theatrical trailer and an image gallery. The package contains both a second disc DVD and a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by critic and writer Brad Stevens. There are only 3,000 copies available.

 

 

Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Hardcore is a very strongly expressed film - kudos, as usual, to Scott - and can be uncomfortable, if not disturbing, at times. It explores a less-seen subject matter in a very frank expression.  The Twilight Time Blu-ray provides as good an a/v transfer for the film as we're likely to get and further value with the commentaries, isolated score and liner notes. It's an excellent package of an intense and intriguing film experience - overall highly entertaining and certainly recommended!

 

Indicator, essentially, offer the same a/v presentation and some different extras with their documentaries, Guardian interview, booklet and DVD. This is a powerful film elevating it to a must-see experience. UK residents should snap this up before it goes OOP (out-of-print.)  

Gary Tooze

September 1st, 2016

May 16th, 2017

 

Coming out in the US, in late March 2018: